Christmas comes early for homeless 'Santa' in Moncton

Christmas has come early for ahomeless "Santa Claus" in Monctonwhose red suit was stolen earlier this week,thanks to the generosity of some elves who heard about his plight on social media.

Fernand Gautreau, 64,says he has a new Santa suit, and a renewed Christmas spirit.

"It feels marvellous."

Gautreau, who has lived on the streets for about three years, says he was sleeping outside whenthieves took all of his belongingshis bag, blanket, bicycle, clothes and his Santa suit.

He was devastated. Hesays he likes to dress up as SaintNick at this time of year to spread Christmas cheer and make children smile.

It really hurt my feelings that someonewould do that to someone that's obviously less fortunate than someone else.- Aleisha MacPherson

"They say, 'Mom, Santa Claus!' And they start shaking, they're so excited, he said. "I do it for them. And for me, yes, but for them."

Gautreau shared his story withAleisha MacPhersonandshewrote a Facebook postabout it on the Moncton Pay It Forwardpage.

"The look in his eyes when he was telling me this,it really played on my heartstrings," said MacPherson.

"It really hurt my feelings that someonewould do that to someone that's obviously less fortunate than someone else," she said. "It's just wrong."

ClaudeSt. Coeur, of Shediac,saw the Facebook post, while he was shoppingin New York withhis girlfriend, Sharon Leger.

"I said, 'My God Sharon, look at this.'The poor man didn't have anything left."

New suit, new start

So St. Coeur and Leger bought Gautreausome new clothes,duga Santa suit St. Coeurhad out ofstorage, anddelivered the wrapped presents to Gautreauat the House of Nazareth homeless shelter.

"I said, 'Ho, ho, ho. Thank you very much,'" said Gautreau,whoalso receiveda new bike and a new cart for itfrom some of Santa's other helpers.

Gautreau says his new Santa suit is his "new start." After years of struggling with alcoholism, he plans to go todetox.

"One day at a time."

St. Coeur and Leger have been equally touched by the experience.

"The joy in that gentleman's face, it was just priceless. The feeling in his heart, you could tellno money can buy that," said St. Coeur.

"It was so heartwarming. It brought tears to his eyes and I was tearing up too."

Now St. Coeur and Leger, who are both retired, say they want to do more to help those in need.